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 Photo: Kristen Ashton
Grey skies shift ominously over the RNA Showgrounds as we assemble for Sounds Of Spring. Confusion concerning media passes ends in our trio of Rave reviewers loitering backstage – trainspotting minor music celebrities. With no passouts forthcoming from the site office, we attempt to head back into the festival, but lack the required accreditation. Then, in one of the day’s more cinematic moments, it begins to rain.
The Gallant start late on the Red Stage and only play three songs, citing time restrictions. It seems somewhat unfair on the local four-piece, considering any delay was unlikely their fault. Everything sounds decent enough, though the band could stand to write songs in a less obvious fashion. Still, it’s generally likeable, conservative rock & roll, with pertinent indie inflections.
Butcher Birds play a full set amongst the drizzle, but the bleak surroundings and lack of shelter aren’t conducive to the appreciation of gritty barroom rock. Neither is sobriety, nor the smokers’ cages, but the local girls play a solid set regardless. That the songs seem underwhelming is more likely to do with setting than anything.
The Galvatrons don’t play, but do make a rousing show of bringing their instruments on stage and removing them again. The rain isn’t particularly heavy, but the only contingency for the forecast weather seems to involve sound engineers with mops and the indefinite delay of music.
Mary Trembles’ opening powerchords hit the crowd, but not as heavily as the rain that begins to suddenly fall from the heavens. After two and a half songs, the local act leaves the stage due to the downpour.
We’re running quite late when The Red Paintings take the Green Stage, garbed in flowing white robes and trailing half-naked persons covered in alabaster paint. Soundchecking five-plus instruments doesn’t speed proceedings, and despite the cello, violin and body painting, actual conceptual art rock is thin on the ground. These are ‘90s radio tunes at a costume party.
 Photo: Kristen Ashton Ignoring the delay in performance time and taking advantage of the momentary easing of rain, local heroes The Boat People play a set far sunnier than their surroundings upon the Corner Stage. Their last show in Australia before an international tour, the Brisbane quartet strive to drag some treasured memories from this gloomy affair
Emerging melodic rock group Trial Kennedy warms the crowd up with songs from their new album Manic Art. Closing with the epic anthem Neighbours, they leave an impression much like the mud that is streaking my shoes; it won’t leave in a hurry, that’s for sure.
Once you ignore their infantile calls to “get really f*cked up and party”, Kid Confucius’ rock & soul revue is one that’s performed with precision and a lot of heart. The eight members of the band squeeze together to fit on the Corner Stage; you could swear that sunlight is almost seen.
From the VIP area that completely defeats the purpose of such a space (making you feel like you’ve snuck into Siberia rather than any private space), the local ‘supergroup’ known as Final Days Of Autumn plod through a tedious set of moody post-grunge anthems and introspective stadium rock. Lighters remained pleasantly in pockets at the Yellow Stage.
The sky begins to darken again as The Spazzy’s start tearing through their set of energetic punk-rock ditties. Thankfully, the clouds like what they hear and let the girls and the audience have a ball without interference. While definitely not a performance of stunning standards, it is by no means forgettable.
Melbourne’s Behind Crimson Eyes, with favourites The Bonesmen and You’ve Had Your Chance, begin to whip the lacklustre crowd into something of a festival animal, moving and swaying with every chorus and cry upon the Green Stage.
 Photo: Kristen Ashton  Photo: Kristen Ashton After a well-known disappearance from the public eye, Rocket Science are making sure 2008 marks their return as one of this country’s best live acts. Front and centre upon the Red Stage frontman Roman Tucker does his most convincing mad scientist performance thus far, making it known that this band is clearly back in action.
Every festival must encounter its share of problems in its first year. Sounds Of Spring was kind enough to collect all of them and display them over the course of 11 hours. While a success in audience numbers, much can be improved in time for next year.
JAKEB SMITH, LINDSEY CUTHBERTSON, MITCH ALEXANDER
1. Written by Caz, on 14-10-2008 13:11 , IP: 59.167.213.182
Sounds of Spring was by far the worse festival ever! Sound problems! The wait to get into the licensed area was unbelievable! No refunds on drink tickets that you couldn't even use! A sober, frustrated crowd...there was nothing right about that festival. An embarrassment to Brisbane! |
2. Written by ELLO, on 14-10-2008 14:11 , IP: 165.228.190.54
If this festival dares show its face again, i dare say no lineup will be able to save it. Cancelling children collide, on the DAY of their album release isnt just foolish, its fucking rude. The worst festival i have been too, i will be boycotting all future events |
3. Written by Fedgrub, on 14-10-2008 14:32 , IP: 203.9.185.137
This was the worst festival I have ever been to. I hope this is never repeated so my cities repuation is not lowered by incompetent festival organisers. Get it right or get a new job. |
4. Written by philk, on 14-10-2008 14:47 , IP: 58.174.26.219
I enjoyed generally the music , highlights 4 me being bluejuice and Grinspoon with Epicure surprising me greatly.
However the drink ticket show ur i.d 3 times in order to then get a drink even with an armband was ludicrous and caused lots of frustrations.
I asked why , and was told there are 3 different security firms working here and we all have our instructions!
ok sounds of spring , av another go and DO BETTER!
Nowhere near as bad as the V fest. |
5. Written by Michael, on 14-10-2008 16:14 , IP: 130.102.0.178
Sounds of spring is the most poorly organised festival i have ever been to. The event should have been 18+ so as to get rid of the bar issue. Also the organisers should have refunded drink tickets since they were not adequately providing this service. |
6. Written by Stephen, on 14-10-2008 16:53 , IP: 203.217.12.246
I had a great time and really enjoyed the bands. Would attend again without hesitation. |
7. Written by Swaction, on 14-10-2008 18:06 , IP: 58.165.122.198
I suppose we should have been wary about a festival called SOS as this sorry excuse for a festival was just like being marooned on a small island in a sea of mud, unable to sail with freedom to the next port (stage) to see the bands that you wanted when you wanted! The incompetent organisers clearly had no idea what they were doing and should not be allowed to host another festival. I had 3 mates fly in from interstate for a reunion and we spent more than half of the day in lines, which is always part of the festival experience but never to the laughable extent on this day. The ONE person allocated to check IDs to get in to the licensed area near the Timeoff Stage could not cope, resulting in a 90+ minute line up to get in each time (before you got in another line to order a drink)! No point going to the larger licensed area at the other end of the event, because the undersized speakers on the main stage were too small to be able to hear the bands properly in there! No point trying to stay in the Timeoff area, as you had to leave to get food and then line up again to get your ID checked (again) to get back in! I could excuse some teething issues at a first run festival, if the organisers had shown some attempt to fix the biggest problem of the day by, say, allocating more people to check IDs. Instead, nothing was done and the lines and the frustration just got worse! Somehow, with so many people still lined up outside the licensed areas, the organisers then managed to run out of beer halfway through the day (which also explains why so many tickes went unused and so many punters went home early)! I applaud the idea of getting a Livid-style festival going again and this rant is no reflection on the many excellent bands who played on Saturday, but, next time let\'s get someone competent to organise the next festival. Brisbane deserves far better than being ripped off by these clowns. |
8. Written by JUBSIE, on 14-10-2008 18:36 , IP: 118.208.60.240
This festival was completely ridiculous. After the massive lineup to get inside, the mess of the bands running late from the start, absurd lines to the ticket and drink areas, and the lack of passouts offered (despite arguments with security), we left after only being inside 1 hr. What a waste of money. A disgrace to Brisbane and I will not be attending another in the future!!! |
9. Written by Liam, on 14-10-2008 19:29 , IP: 203.213.7.132
Jesus what a bunch of whingers - you couldnt enjoy yourselves for five minutes without a beer in your hand?
to the person who left after an hour - sucks to be you, almost all of the bands put on a great show. |
10. Written by Snow Hart, on 14-10-2008 19:33 , IP: 202.55.155.131
Ok – I trekked up from Canberra for Sounds of Spring, not only to catch up with mates but to also check out some great Australian music. Despite seeing some quality bands – I should have gone to Oktoberfest in Canberra and saved myself the airfare to get to Brisbane.
This was by far the worst run festival I have ever been to. The area designated for the concert created way too many choke points. The area set aside for the festival was a boomerang shaped patch of dirt (mud by lunchtime) which when at full capacity was very difficult to move around to see bands or get food. For those old enough to throw back a can or two, this was exacerbated by the ludicrous setup in having to get entry into the alcohol area. Having to wait up to 90 minutes to get in and get a beer after changing stages was atrocious! Also way to go on running out of beer at one point! This could have been alleviated if they put more security on the gates or better yet, checked IDs upon entry into the festival, negating the need to have a bouncer wave me through after 90 minutes of lining up.
Secondly, the sound was terrible. In the bar in front of the large stages, you couldn’t hear the music properly at all. I mean did anyone do any audio tests before setting the thing up?
Lastly, the use of the ground. There was a big “VIP/Backstage area” that was totally underutilized during the day. I reckon I may have seen about 10 people in there at one point. By moving the stages back into that area I’d bet your bottom dollar it would not have been half as bad wandering around to see bands as more space = more room to move.
The end result was I left early, spent half the day complaining to my mates about the set up (who were complaining back) and left very underwhelmed by the facilities and organisers. Having said that, gold stars to Intercooler, Dirty Secrets, Screamfeeder and Gyroscope who put on great shows. On the other side of the coin, I’d sooner poke my eardrums out delicately with a sledge hammer than listen to the Red Paintings again. Guys – art rock is not festival rock. Also if you are going to wear large novelty hats, at least test them in rehearsal. It makes you look less silly when you know how to get your guitar strap over the top of it. |
11. Written by Col, on 14-10-2008 20:13 , IP: 123.211.33.235
I will be back for sure next year, but you better improve out of sight. 1 hour to get drink tickets in a line half the length of the one opposite, 1 guy checking ID's, seriously should consider making this 18+ event. All credit to Blue Juice, The Boat People, Dukes of Windsor for putting on great sets. |
12. Written by Sneal, on 14-10-2008 21:12 , IP: 123.211.248.13
If you want to drink, go to a pub. Im always sober at festivals (and yes, im over 1 and i love it; im not the tool in the mosh spewing over the people there for the music |
13. Written by Jimmy., on 14-10-2008 21:46 , IP: 121.222.234.189
Yeah bit of a shocker by the organisers. Cant believe no one has mentioned the toiletting situation in the main bar area!! Always a debacle at most festivals. I cant for the life of me understand why organisers dont provide more toilets. How expensive are they really? Kudos to all the bands performing in adverse conditions but shame on the organisers cancelling children collide and allowing the red paintigns to perform. What was that all about?? |
14. Written by Jimmyink, on 14-10-2008 22:48 , IP: 58.107.78.218
What a waste of money. I have never felt so ripped off in my life. Not even cog managed to have a good show with all the sound dropouts and failing stage equipment. The ONLY good part of the day was bluejuice. Good show guys!
Correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't RSA require you to have food available WHERE alcohol is ACTUALLY being served. Would have been quicker to walk into the valley for a drink or a feed. Not to mention people (guys and girls) pissing EVERYWHERE since there was only 5 urinals for the entire main drinking area. These people couldn't organise a piss-up in a brewery! |
15. Written by Feedup, on 15-10-2008 07:52 , IP: 203.0.223.243
Here I was looking forward to a revival of Livid and my god what a disappointment. If they think taking for ever to get tickets and drinks will keep everyone more in control they are wrong. It just p###ses us off. This was a total disappointment and I walked in disgust and even missed out on the bands due to the ridiculous lineup. And for the people that say you don't need to drink so you obviously have fabulous bladder control if the 100 metre long lines didn't bother you. I am sorry to say this has probably turned me off attending festivals for ever! Thanks alot! |
16. Written by Timberr, on 15-10-2008 08:03 , IP: 115.131.13.127
Why were all the best bands relegated to the corner stage? Bluejuice, The Herd and the Black Seeds were amazing but I have seen better setups at my local pub. The festival organisation was beyond teribble, the showgrounds completely soulless - why not just have the gig in a carpark next time? And what the hell is the point of armbands if there are no passouts and I need my ID checked every time I want to enter the 90 minute lineup for a drink? Will not be wasting my money next year, regardless of the lineup. |
17. Written by vitriol, on 15-10-2008 09:13 , IP: 58.174.26.219
bluejuice won the day i reckon
but that doesnt mean any one sucked
cuz nobody did
i was a bit sorry for children collide cuz i came to the festival needing to see them and british india
why are people so concerned about heavily over priced alcohol? is beer seriously that addictive? |
18. Written by Jimmy, on 15-10-2008 09:19 , IP: 58.171.231.162
What you saw at sounds of spring was a festival that was nearly cancelled due to weather. The rain had held off any setup of stages, lighting and audio until 6am that morning. We were all lucky to have bands play at all. As for bands being cancelled and running behind time, that was because it was dangerous!!! Water and electricity rememeber..... I say congrats to those who worked their butts off so that the whingers could see anything at all that day. |
19. Written by Nathan, on 15-10-2008 10:49 , IP: 165.228.169.247
I must agree with many of the punters. the lines were riduculous...food tix?? what the...? i wouldnt say it was poorly organised, and most of you have no idea how close we were to not having a festival at all, but there are definatly ALOT of things to improve on for next year...but hey...i would rather be watching great music than staying at home scratching my arse... |
20. Written by sneaky, on 15-10-2008 10:56 , IP: 202.172.124.96
BRING BACK LIVID!! |
21. Written by Jakeb, on 15-10-2008 11:27 , IP: 202.172.124.96
As for the underutilised VIP area, with no seating, no toilets, no VIP entry, no cash-bar, and eventually no booze, we were standing in the same lines as everyone else. It was a glorified piece of bitumen.
As for the rain, this is the kind of thing festival organisers should be able to take into account. That's why we pay them exorbitant ticket prices, because it's their job to please tens of thousands of people against the odds. The weather had been forecast, so they must have known. Other festival organisers have been dealing with this sort of thing successfully for decades, and there are a lot of cheap and simple options for keeping stages dry (read: tarpaulins).
Finally, for the guy who does all festivals sober, some people like to have a beer with their mates and watch live music. Each to their own. However, the poor catering was indicative of a far more fundamental failure to comprehend the parameters of a music festival. When you sell out an event - and especially one with many conspicuous precedents - you should be able calculate the amount of catering and facilities required. It's not as if people turned up unannounced, they paid good money ahead of time.
I'm not sure whether to put it down to stubborn ignorance or gross ineptitude, but it was EPIC FAIL in any case. |
22. Written by sam, on 15-10-2008 13:20 , IP: 122.110.50.102
Yeah there were a lot of problems, it was rather disosganised - but you know what? It was the guy's first try at a festival. He's 25, decided you assholes would like some music so he worked his ass off to try and organise something for you. It poured rain, made everything even more difficult to manage and sets being cut short because of cabinets sitting in water is not the fault of the organisers. Children collide DECIDED TO LEAVE they were not cancelled - they forgot some equipment and knew someone would be cancelled so they took one for the team. And for those complaining about the VIP bar - yeah it sucked, I was there too it would have been nice to have seats. But let's face it - you got in for free, got free booze and no line for bar or toilets, quit your complaining.
Seems to me most people's problem was with the drinks. As this is a LIVE MUSIC review not your facebook wall to complain about not being able to get wasted on the weekend, maybe try to comment on the actual bands and not on being IDed a few times? Just an idea. |
23. Written by Fedgrub, on 15-10-2008 16:19 , IP: 203.9.185.137
Seems like Sam and Jimmy were two of the punks responsible for this mess. Good work. Sure, whoever chose to do this tried really hard and wanted to provide music - but more than that I guarantee they also wanted to make money. I don't know about you, but I don't give $65 to homless people to get nothing back, I give more like $2. So next time (not that I will be there), I think the people will want something thats actually good for their money. Good bands doesn't make a good experience, it just brings people and money to the table - the next step is to PROVIDE the good experience. So do it, PROVIDE! |
24. Written by I don't understand, on 15-10-2008 18:27 , IP: 124.186.95.108
What gives? The Time Off review of this refers to "downing the amber ale in the conveniently located drinking section nearby..."
The comments above seem to suggest convenience wasn't really part of the experience. |
25. Written by sneaky, on 16-10-2008 08:29 , IP: 150.101.188.246
"And for those complaining about the VIP bar - yeah it sucked, I was there too it would have been nice to have seats. But let's face it - you got in for free, got free booze and no line for bar or toilets". Dude - free bar? Toilets? No line?... Which VIP bar were you in!?! Not the one for the plebs, obviously.
A bit pally with the organisers are we - constructive criticism hurts, does it? TOUGHEN UP BUDDY! The only way to make ammends is to learn from some pretty fundamental mistakes. I am sure the more level-headed of the 'organising collective' would be aware of that.
...and weren't Time Off Sponsors/advertisers of the event? Wouldn't want to bite the hand that feeds.
I guess. |
26. Written by Fedgrub, on 16-10-2008 08:45 , IP: 203.9.185.137
The word "convenience" should not be said in the same conversation as Sounds of Spring. |
27. Written by philk, on 16-10-2008 13:12 , IP: 58.174.26.219
I daresay iv been to more festivals than most given my decrepit age and SOS was a music festival that had its probs and they need to be addressed if they organise it again which i hope they do. Woodford and the V festivals last year had a lot of problems and theyv got a far bigger budget , cost more and have far more experience , i had a better time at SOS than both of those this year |
28. Written by El Cloak, on 17-10-2008 06:51 , IP: 58.175.200.114
I travelled from Melbourne for this 'festival'. What a Disgrace.
Shame, Shame, Shame.
I agree with all of the comments already made by my learned festival goer friends re the HUGE lines (yes, we took photos it was so absurd), zero cans of available alcohol for several hours, generally underpowered sound, and the poor ground set up vs a massive underused vip area.
While kudos goes out to Screemfeeder, Intercooler and Gyroscope and techs in the trying conditions for example - there were many bands that i could not physically watch, for the reasons so aptly expressed here by other festival goers. Man up on the staff for goodness sake!
And hey. I like to have a brew with my music - I paid a lot to come to this gig!
From a punters point of view,i recall conversations with random festival goers all of whom were rightly complaining about 'the rip off'.
Down here in Melbourne, things are not perfect, however the word has quickly spread of the laughing stock of the SOS festival. Oh, and by the way, I'm not proud to support that view - I'm from Brisabane too! How embarrassing!
SOS 1 - PUNTERS 0. |
29. Written by walshy, on 18-10-2008 13:46 , IP: 58.179.72.13
have a fuk*n winge |
30. Written by Kaiser Chief, on 19-10-2008 00:04 , IP: 122.104.133.175
So s.o.s. sucked? LMFAO!
Do I predict a riot?
Just because someone knob jockeys decide to throw a `spring` festival doesn`t guarantee the punter the most bestest rock experience of the year or whatever. The line-up was extremely `meh` anyways.
Furthermore I `lolled` into my cereal on that dark & cold Sat morn when my house mate stressed about looking for her brolly, poncho & gumboots.  |
31. Written by Lee, on 19-10-2008 22:05 , IP: 122.110.108.20
I just love all the spelling and errors in grammar I keep seeing in all these comments by people trying to sound intelligent and win this little arguement. Ammends? Homless? Toiletting? It keeps getting better!  Yay for stupid people so we can all giggle! |
32. Written by Eugene Poindexter, on 20-10-2008 05:04 , IP: 59.100.19.33
Anyone lameass enough to go through 30 comments to pick out spelling errors sounds like they enjoyed this festival to me, you would have to be stupid enough to do such a thing to like such an event.
The best band i heard all day was the one on my car stereo on the way home. someone needs to take a shotgun to the red paintings and the spazzys. and phil seriously needs to get back on the drugs |
33. Written by ello, on 21-10-2008 11:29 , IP: 165.228.190.54
to the guy saying that children collide decided not to play, you couldnt be further from the truth. johnny and heath were mingling in the crowd for hours after, appologizing and telling everyone what happened. |
34. Written by Marissa, on 21-10-2008 18:50 , IP: 121.223.82.18
I completely agree with Ello. I spoke to Johhny straight after his performance on stage with Young and Restless and he told me exactly what happened and it had nothing to do with them. Might i also add that why on earth would they cancel the only show they were playing on the release date of their DEBUT album. That does not make any sense. Johnny was nothing but polite and apologetic. They flew from Melbourne just to play this gig and flew back later on that night. It was extremely rude and disrespectful of Sounds of Spring to cancel they're set. The entire festival was a complete shambles I left early and I dont regret for a second. It was a waste of time and money and a disgrace to Brisbane city. Thankfully i attended My Disco and Marl Karx later that night at Valley Studios which made the trip to Brisbane not a complete right off. |
35. Written by Anna, on 23-10-2008 12:47 , IP: 124.185.125.251
Oh my fucking god, could you not enjoy yourself for 5 minutes without having a stupid beer in you hand?
The festival was great & bands even better. The Getaway Plan was amazing as per usualy & Parkway Drve blew me away. |
36. Written by Anna, on 23-10-2008 12:52 , IP: 124.185.125.251
Ive just realised something after reading all the coments again, THERE ALL ABOUT TEH FUCKING BOOZE!
for christ sake did you peopel go just so you can get drunk? |
37. Written by Rae, Crucial Music, on 24-10-2008 12:17 , IP: 150.101.159.113
I just wanted to confirm Sam's statement that Children Collide were not blown out by the organisers. The event was running late. At one point they were asked if they would be willing to cut their set short to make up time (as were other bands probably) but as it turned out, Children Collide had left their guitar pedals at home in Melbourne by accident. Therefore they offered to pull out completely, thus allowing the show to get back on schedule and for all other bands to play their alloted times. The band were really disappointed, but this did seem the best solution for everyone.
With regard to the problems the day faced. I wasn't there personally, but I know the same complaints were made about Pyramid in Victoria in its first year and they've learnt from it and have improved from year to year as most festivals do - I'm sure Sounds of Spring will do the same and if you don't want it in Brisbane we'll happily take it off your hands in Melbourne - which offered a wonderful sunny day on Oct 11 by the way 
Rae, Manager for Children Collide and Gyroscope |
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